Belted undergarments



A ril 22, 1958 B. c. SANDERS 2,831,486

BELTED UNDERGARMENTS' Filed June so, 1953 INVENTOR I'll! ATTORNEY United States Patent BELTED UNDERGARMENTS Birdie C. Sanders, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application June 30, 1953, Serial No. 365,115

2 Claims. (Cl. 128-289) This invention relates to improvements in belted undergarments, and more particularly multi-purpose briefs, particularly for women who lead active lives.

It has long been recognized that many women object to wearing undergarments that cover the nether region of the body and yet the lack thereof is considered unsanitary.

One object of this invention is to improve the construction of womens undergarments to provide for a maximum of comfort therein with a minimum of coverage of the crotch region of the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide for a sanitary protection of the crotch region of the body without discomfort or bulkiness, in a simple, light weight and inexpensive garment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a covering for the crotch region of the body without encircling the body, but which is held in place effectively in a comfortable manner.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention, by providing a crotch section shaped to fit the nether region of the body in the crotch thereof and from the front toward the back. This section extends up over the lower portion of the front and to a desired extent at the back, being shaped somewhat tapered to a point at the back in the preferred form thereof. Preferably, it is wider in front than in the intermediate portion of the length thereof.

This crotch section is held in place by a belt encircling the waist-line, and connected with said section by several strips at the front and at the back of the body. A plurality of such strips may be provided at the front and one or more at the back connecting said belt with the front and back ends of the crotch section.

The one garment will answer for five definite purposes: briefs, sanitary shields, garter belts, chatfees and for menstrual periods. It is not necessary to buy any rubber sanitary aprons. It is 100% safer in every wayno rubber or plastic next to the skin. This multi-purpose brief is made of liquid-repellant, heat-proof plastic and is covered with flannel on each side and it is very soft. On the outside, on both sides it is covered with nylon, using seersucker or tricot nylon next to the skin and on the outside plain nylon, chiffon that gives a smooth appearance to the outside clothing.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the undergarment in place on the body;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing a modification;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the undergarment removed; and

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the crotch section.

The invention is illustrated as applied to an undergarment adapted to be worn next to the person, and is so constructed as to be self-sustaining thereon.

In this embodiment, a belt 1 is adapted to encircle the waist-line of the body, preferably at the narrow region of the waist-line and to fit snugly thereto. The belt 1 may be adjustable for this purpose in any well-known manner, as by being of elastic fabric, tape or other suitable elastic material, to conform readily to different sized persons.

A crotch section is designated generally at 2. This section 2 is shaped to fit the crotch region of the body without substantial longitudinal folding, and to extend up over the front thereof but only to an inconsiderable extent. Accordingly, it has a front end portion 3, tapering to a relatively narrower midportion 4 adapted to extend through from front to back, with a rear end portion 5 preferably narrower than the midportion 4. The front end portion 3 is preferably rounded at the edges to conform more readily to the contour of the body.

The crotch section 2 may be connected with the belt 1 by narrow strips or tapes that are preferably elastic, to hold this section in place. A plurality of such strips or tapes 6, shown as three, extend upward from the front end portion 3 to the belt 1, being attached thereto at the respective opposite ends thereof.

One or more such strips or tapes 7 are used at the rear end portion 5, extending therefrom to the belt 1, and also being secured thereto by stitching in permanent relation. Bands 8 extend over the ends of the tapes 6 and 7, and around the belt 1 to secure the ends of the tapes 6 and 7 thereto. The upper ends of the tapes 6 and 7 are folded over the belt 1, and are covered by the bands 8.

These strips as tapes 6 and 7 will hold the crotch piece 2 in place comfortably and effectively, and being elastic, will accommodate themselves to different sized persons. They will not allow the section to shift about, so as to be uncomfortable.

The crotch section 2. may be made of any suitable fabric,

but I prefer to form this section of separate layers 10 of soft material, such as nylon, silk or cotton fabric, with a layer of waterproof material 11 therebetween, such as sheet plastic, rubber, etc., as shown in Fig. 4'. These layers may be bound together along the edges by a binding strip 9, stitched together. The crotch section 2 may be used, if desired, to hold a sanitary napkin, which is secured thereto. Bands 13 extend transversely of the upper face of the section 2 and are adapted to receive the opposite ends of the napkin and to hold it in place. These may be elastic or fabric, and the ends may be tucked thereunder, or pinned. Either one or both of the bands 12 and 13 is secured to the section 2 intermediate its ends at 14. The end of the napkin is put in over the loop and then under and then back over and under, making it a triple strength so that there will be no way for the napkin to come loose. It is easy to pull out the napkin and insert a new one without removing the brief while the woman is wearing it.

If desired, shields 15 may be attached to opposite sides of the section 2 to extend about the inner sides of the legs, as shown in Fig. 2. These shields 15 may be formed of a material similar to the section2, or of rubberized fabric, or of other suitable material. They may be stitched thereto along a line 16 forming the edges of said section, or formed in one integral piece therewith. Straps 17 may be attached to the shields 15 to extend about the legs and hold the shields thereto, if desired.

This undergarment is light weight, easily laundered, and will be held in place effectively. The belt 1 and tapes 6 and 7, all elastic or otherwise adjustable, conform readily to the body, even of different sizes, serve to hold the section 2 in place against displacement, to afford sanitary protection, with a minimum of covering.

The multi-purpose brief has an elastic band 1 which may have two loops in front for detachable and adjust able twin garters. The brief will be made in small, medium, and large sizes; and on the large size there may be an adjustable band that will fit large women and maternity women. The brief fits very securely and snugly to the 1C Patented Apr. 22, s

body. There are no pins or hooks. It is shaped to the persons body and very comfortable. There will be no wrinkles with any type of garment worn.

The multi-purpose brief may be worn effectively with girdles or panty girdles; and also under slacks and sport clothes. It can be worn under bathing suits, play suits, shorts, slacks, sun dresses, formals, and suits. It fills the needs of the very active woman in every line. This multipurpose brief will carry her safe and comfortable through the day and solve her sanitary problems.

The brief is held up in front by three elastic bands 6 of very fine elastic-one in the center of the stomach and one on each side of the groin that leads up to the band 1 at the waist-line. That band 1 is made of very strong elastic that will not pull down and still it is very comfortable because it fits to the waist so securely that it will not drag down in the middle of the stomach or the hips; and for that reason the woman will have a very natural figure. That is why it is so very nice to wear with slacks, dresses, play suits, bathing suits, girdles or panty girdles. Also in front where the two side elastics 6 come up, there may be a ribbon loop to slide in detachable, adjustable twin garters. In the back where the brief comes up to a point, there is the same type of elastic 7, which reaches up to the center back of the band 1 and that holds up the brief, which is what makes it so very comfortable, and the elastic does not show up on the wearers clothing.

For the larger woman, the band 1 may be provided with two extra loops for single detachable adjustable garters in the back, as well as a double twin adjustable garter in front. Also for the larger woman, I have invented an adjustable chaffee (Fig. 2) that is sewed right onto the brief with a single band 17 of elastic that makes it adjustable for different sizes on the leg. Just about two inches below the groin there are four strips of ribbon falling into one ring carrying the adjustable elastic, and at the back just about two inches below the groin there are two strips of ribbon falling into one ring carrying the same one elastic, which makes this adjustable to any size leg. This holds it securely and very smooth.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and 4 changes may be made therein without departing from the invention set forth in the claims.

I claim: a

1. An undergarment comprising an elongated crotch section having a wide front end portion tapering to a narrow rear end portion, a belt adapted to encircle the waist, an elastic strip extending downwardly from the belt midway between opposite sides of the belt to the wide front end portion of the crotch section midway of the width of the latter, additional strips extending downward from the belt directly to opposite edges of the wide front end of the crotch section, said additional strips being free of lateral connections intermediate the ends thereof.

2. An undergarment comprising an elongated crotch section having a wide front end portion tapering to a narrow rear end portion, a belt adapted to encircle the waist, an elastic strip extending downwardly from the belt midway between opposite sides of the belt to the wide front end portion of the crotch section midway of the width of the latter, additional strips extending downward from the belt directly to opposite edges of the wide front end of the crotch section, said additional strips being free of lateral connections intermediate the ends thereof, and shields attached to opposite edges of the crotch section adapted to extend about the inner sides ofthe legs, and means for holding said shields in place.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 909,349 Treber et al. July 23, 1907 1,245,655 Allen Nov. 6, 1917 1,609,769 Perlzweig Dec. 7, 1926 1,997,883 Lesselbaum et al Apr. 16, 1935 2,039,446 Pecknold May 5, 1936 2,056,773 Dann Oct. 6, 1936 2,516,800 Rand July 25, 1950 2,565,738 Oellerich, Jr. Aug. 28, 1951 2,572,331 Gillessen Oct. 23, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 450,214 Italy July 12, 1949 

